On his enlistment papers, he is described as being 5 feet 4 inches tall, 11 stone 10 pound in weight, with a fair complexion, greyish eyes and brown hair, with his religion listed as Methodist.

Along with other members of the 21st Battalion, Private West embarked from Melbourne on board HMAT A64 Demosthenes on 16 July 1915.

On 29 October 1915, while in the "Anzac Zone" he was admitted to the Field Ambulance suffering from influenza and was discharged back to duty on 29 December 1915.

On 1 July 1916, while serving in France, Edwin suffered a gunshot wound to his thigh. After initial treatment in the field, he was transported to England and admitted to Bethnal Green Hospital on 5 July 1916. Then, on 5 October, he was transferred to the 1st Auxiliary Hospital in Harefield, Middlesex. A small article appeared in the Werribee Shire Banner, 20 July 1916, p.2. advising of Edwin’s injury.

On 12 October 1916, Edwin was discharged to furlough, reporting to Weymouth on 27 October. From there he returned to Australia aboard the troopship, Benalla.

Private West arrived home in Australia on 10 April 1917 and was discharged, medically unfit, on 30 May 1917. The following day, he was granted a war pension of 60 shillings per fortnight.

During WW2, Edwin West WW2 enlisted in the Citizen’s Military Force with the service number V6137.

Edwin John West died on 9 June 1955, aged 55, and is buried in Preston Cemetery.